Lock nut



Patented May 26, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOCKNUT Alan H. Beggs, Montclalr, N. J., assignor to The Palnut Company, Inc., Irvin'gton, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application April 25, 1939, Serial No. 269,841

Claims.

An object of the present invention'is to provide a new and improved lock-nut made from sheet metal, which lock-nut includes as a part thereof a washer-like portion.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lock-nut made from sheet -metal which has as an integral part thereof a washer-like portion extending outwardly from the bottom of wrench-engaging surfaces.

A further object of the inventionis to provide a lock-nut as described above, which has the top part thereof so recessed or indented as to receive a terminal part of a wire conductor.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a lock-nut of the foregoing character in which a part of the thread engaging portion thereof serves to restrain an eyelet-like terminal against movement when such terminal is.positioned on top thereof and fastened thereto by a superimposed nut member.

Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description of the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a device embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1; V

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 of a modification of the invention and prior to assembly of the device with a bolt;

Fig. 4 is a vertical elevation of an assembly made up of a device in accordance with Fig. 3, an eyelet-like terminal, and a retaining-nut, all associated with a threaded bolt and another member;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 of a modification wherein the highest part of the aperture wall is not higher than the tops of the side walls;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of a further modification of the invention;

Fig. 7 is a vertical elevation of the device shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. l of astill further modification of they invention, and

Fig. 9 is a vertical section of another modifica tion.

Referring now to the drawing and particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, Illindicates-generally a device embodying the invention, which device is made from some suitable sheet metal. As shown in the drawing this device has upstanding wall portions H which are substantially flat and which provide wrench-engaging surfaces. These surfaces may be of any desired number, but six are shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Extending inwardly from the top edges of the wrench-engaging surfaces II is a convexed top part l2 which is centrally apertured and which has the wall of such central aperture arranged in spiral form to engage the threads of a bolt or similar object. This spiral arrangement of the aperture wall is accomplished by the provision of a plurality of radially extending slots I. Also formed integrally with the walls 1| and the top :2 is an annular flanged part l5 extending outwardly from the bottom edges of the walls II and corresponding in function to a washer. ,Thus the present device combines the features not only of a locknut but also incorporates therewith a washer member so that this device can supplant the use of two separate members heretofore commonly in use, namely, a washer and a lock-nut.

The use of this device will be evident from the description thereof, since it may be engaged with a screw-threaded bolt or other similar object in association with some member to be fastened to such bolt. When so assembled the device can be locked to the bolt and to the associated member by rotating the member II on the bolt until the washer part l5 contacts the associated member. Further rotation of the device In causes such locking contact of the aperture wall thereof with the bolt threads as to effectively lock the parts together, it being understood, of course, that the device is made of metal of such gauge as to have the requisite resiliency.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 3 the device is again made up of upstanding walls 2| forming wrench-engaging surfaces, a convex top part 22 centrally apertured with the aperture wall in spiral form, and a washer-like flange part 25 at the bottom of the member. In this form, how ever, instead of providing a plurality of slots in the top part to make possible the spiral arrangement of the aperture wall, a single slot 24 is'provided therein. It will be noted that the upper termination of the aperture wall 26 is disposed some distance above the plane of the top of the walls 2| so that in effect a tooth of upstanding form is provided. It is to be understood that, this tooth may be at any desired height above the plane of the wall tops, such height being attained by the curvature of the convex top part 22.

This device is particularly useful in connecting eyelet-like terminal members to a bolt or other threaded member associated with some suitable supporting member. By reference to Fig. 4 it will be seen that a'pair of members 21' and 28 have a bolt 29 passing therethrough. If

disposed above the member 20 with the bolt 295 passing through the eyelet 30. A second nut 52 which is of convex form as it extends inwardly from-the edges of ,the walls but which member 31 is then assembled onto the bolt above. I

. part 58 extending outwardly from the lower edges the eyelet 30 and can be screwed downwardly into locking engagement therewith. Preferably the nut 31 is of a locking type. I I As the result of tightening the assembled parts of Fig. 4, the member has the spiral edge 'of the aperture so depressed that the convexity thereof is distorted to an extent sumcient to substantially remove the upstanding tooth 28 from a position above the plane of the top of the'walls 2i. During such tightening, of course, this tooth 26 engages the bottom surface of the eyelet and serves in some degree to prevent rotation of the eyelet 30 relative to the member 20. Due to the lowering of the position of the tooth. 26 it follows that the bottom surface of the eyelet 30 can rest in flat contact with the top edge parts of the walls 2| so that good electric contact between the eyelet 30 and the member 20 is assured.

The condition of the nut following such depression of the aperture wall is shown in Fig. 5.

In some instances, however, it will be desirable to make the nut originally in the form shown in Fig. 5 so that a washer-like member can rest directly on top of the ring defining the top of the side walls. I I

While the assembly of Fig. 4 has been shown as making use of a member 20 of the Fig. 3 and Fig. 5 type, it will be understood, that a member I0 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 could be used in the stead thereof.

In Fig. 6 a modification of the invention has been shown, such device comprising a member 40 having upstanding walls 4| providing wrenchengaging surfaces, a convex top 42 having a single slot 44 therein whereby the aperture of the slotcan be spirally disposed. Also the devicehas an annular flange or washer-like part 45 extending outwardly from'the bottom edges of the wall 4|. provided with a plurality of slots 46 so disposed as to define a plurality of fingers 41. These fingers can be uniformly twisted as shown in Fig. 7,

and so arranged that they offer substantially no resistance to tightening the nut onto a bolt, but once the nut has been tightened to a bolt and associated member through which the bolt passes, the downwardly extending edges of the fingers tend to bite into the associated member and thereby prevent reverse rotation of the nut. While the nut of Fig. 6 and Fig. '(has been shown as being so constructed as to have a' single slot 44 therein in the fashion of the Fig. 3 device, it

will be apparent that the convex top 42 of this member could have a plurality of radial slots therein in the fashion of the device of Fig. 1.

In Fig. 8 a still further modification of the invention has been illustrated. This device indicated generally at 50 has upstanding walls 5| forming wrench-engaging surfaces, and a top part The edge of this washer-like part 45 is is not of complete convex form but which has an indentation 54 therein. .This indentation 54 defines a groove between the convex part 52 and the wall 55 of the central aperture. Again a single slot 56 has been provided, whereby the spiral arrangement of the aperture wall can be I accomplished. .I'hefrecess. 54 can be of such depth that when the-fnutfil. is tightened on a bolt in association with a member through which the bolt passes a looped end 54 of a wire cond'uctor can be disposed therein and can be held in place by another nut or similar member located immediately'above the member 50. Also the device of Figs 8 has a washer-like bottom of the walls ii. If desired this washer-like part 58 can" have a tab-59 with an opening 60 therein, such tab and opening serving as a terminal for a conductor or any other member to be soldered or otherwise secured thereto;

It is'to be understood that again instead of a single slot 58, a plurality of slots can be provided in the top of the member 50, and if desiredthe part 58 may have groove'sin the periphery thereof to permit the formation of fingers or teeth in the'fashion shown in Figs. 6 and 7. In Fig. 9 the use of a member having an indentation 54thereinhas been shown in section. This-member indicated ge'nerally at I0 is similar-in construction to-the member of Fig. 8 with the exception that atone point in the periphery of the part 52 adepression H is provided, such depression being of width capable of permitting the passage of the conductor 51 which is of looped formas it lies in theindentati on 54. Due to this'arrangement it is possible to so tighten the member 10 on a bolt that the upstanding tooth-like termination of :the aperture wall is disposed below the normal plane of the part 52 so that a flat member can rest on top of the member 10 and in contact with the looped part of conductor 51. 1

From the foregoing it will beseen that the present device in any form shown provides a new, simple and efficient lock-nutmade from sheet metal, and having as a part thereof a washerlike portion whereby this new member in use supplants an assembly of washer and lock-nut previously required. The device in any form is inexpensive to manufacture and is eflicient in operation. The invention may be modified in any suitable manner, and accordingly is'to be limited only by the following claims.

What I claim is:

1. A lock-nut made integrally from sheet metal, said nut comprising an upstanding continuous side wall portion having wrench-engaging flats the side edgesof which are in substantial parallelism, a top portion extending inwardly from thetop of said wall portion, said top portion being apertured and formed to engage threads with a resilient locking engagement, and

. a bottom flange portion extending outwardly from the bottom of said wall portion and forming a from the top of said wall portion, said top portion being convexed and apertured and formed to engage threads with a resilient locking engagement, and a bottom flange portion extending outwardly from the bottom of said wall portion and forming a washer..

3. A lock-nut made integrally from sheet metal, said nut comprising an upstanding continuous side wall portion having wrench-engaging flats the side edges 01' which are in substantial parallelism, a top portion extending inwardly from the top of said wall portion, said top portion being convexed and apertured and formed to engage threads with a resilient locking'engagement, and a bottom flange portion extending outwardly from the bottom of said wall portion and forming a washer, said top portion being yieldable to depress the wall of said aperture below the plane of the top of said wall portion.

4. A lock-nut made integrally from sheet metal, said nut comprising an upstanding continuous side wall portion having wrench-engaging flats the side edges of which are in substantial parallelism, a top portion extending inwardly from the top of said wall portion, said top portion being apertured and iormed to engage threads with a resilient locking engagement, and

a bottom flange portion extending outwardly from the bottom of said wall portion and forming a washer, said top portion having an annular indentation therein for the reception of a wire loop, said indentation being intermediate and spaced from said wall portion and the wall of said aperture.

5. A lock-nut made integrally from sheet metal, said nut comprising an upstanding continuous side wall portion having wrench-engaging flats the side edges of which are in substantial parallelism, a top portion extending inwardly from the top of said wall portion, said top portion being apertured and formed to engage threads with a resilient locking engagement, and

a bottom flange portion extending outwardly from the bottom edge of said wall portion and forming a washer, said top portion having an annular indentation thereinfor the reception of a wire loop, said indentation being intermediate and spaced from said wall portion and the wall 01' said aperture, said top portion having a radial depress leading into said indentation.

ALAN H. BEGGS. 

